What's the difference between ceiling paint and regular wall paint? Can I just use the same paint?

Ceiling paint is formulated differently from wall paint in several important ways. It has a thicker consistency to reduce drips and splatter when you are rolling overhead, and it typically dries to an ultra-flat finish that helps hide imperfections like drywall seams, patches, and minor texture inconsistencies that overhead lighting can emphasize.

While you technically can use regular wall paint on a ceiling, you will likely find it more difficult to apply without dripping, and any sheen in the paint will highlight every bump and imperfection on the ceiling surface. Ceiling paint is also usually formulated to provide excellent coverage in a single coat, which matters when you are working overhead and want to minimize the effort.

In Metro Vancouver homes, one thing to watch for is moisture. If you are painting a bathroom or kitchen ceiling, standard ceiling paint may not be the best choice. Instead, look for a kitchen-and-bath ceiling paint or use a satin-finish moisture-resistant paint on those ceilings. Our climate means bathrooms accumulate a lot of condensation, and a flat ceiling paint in a steamy bathroom will eventually develop mould or yellowing.

For standard bedrooms and living areas, dedicated ceiling paint is the way to go. It is typically less expensive than premium wall paints and is purpose-built for the job. As a next step, measure your ceiling square footage and pick up a quality ceiling paint — most rooms need just one gallon for a single coat.

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